Post by: SpencerUSMC on October 24, 2008, 08:44:28 AM
Every and I mean Every rule I was ever taught, through hunters safety or just the common sense rules that seemed to come pretty natural while hunting are thrown out the window. You have 15 groups of guys all walking from different directions towards each other, hey there Einstien thats probably not too smart! The very first time I went to one of these places it was the site up at Skagit Flatts, I had no idea how these places worked. I had only been in WA for a few months at the time, So I was out there the night before checking the place out and saw a few birds here and there, pulled in the next morning around 745ish and the entire parking lot was overflowing with vehicles, and not all of them were your typical "Hunting" vehicles...... Stupid yuppie wanna be hunters toting their 2 dolar orange vest from Walmart, their buddies borrowed gun, and absolutely no common sense or any idea what positive control of a shotgun should look like. I have never ever had to tell so many people to watch where they where pointing their barrel. Not that I was running around playing release site sherriff but in talking to 3 or 4 guys 2 of them had their barrel flagging me numerous times, I had half a mind to snatch the damn gun out of their hands. Their were dogs fighting in the parking lot, I got peppered 3 times in a matter of 25 mins. I could go on and on....
This was the most recent excuse I got....it may have been a joke but who knows "well i don't have a dog, so the pheasants have to be stupid. that way i can see them instead of blindly walking around until i flush them myself." ITS CALLED HUNTING FOR A REASON!!!! I mean c'mon, release sites are not "hunting" period.
Post by: rainshadow1 on October 24, 2008, 08:46:49 AM
Post by: merlo105 on October 24, 2008, 10:28:13 AM
Post by: bobcat on October 24, 2008, 11:15:40 AM
Post by: Shannon on October 24, 2008, 04:20:12 PM
Post by: Clumber on October 24, 2008, 04:56:46 PM
We are newbies to hunting, only started about 7 years ago when our Jubilee finally decided that birds were the reason for living. We have tried many of the release sites around here (don't worry, we don't consider that hunting either... but great work for the dogs, some yummy meat, and so on) and have settled on swinging by our "backyard" site at off times - which we do normally year-round just to run the stink off the dogs, anyhow. This part of the year we just happen to carry shotguns with us. AND the Ft Lewis sites because they limit the number of hunters at each site each day. It is still a bit of a ridiculous flurry at 8:00:01 am, with guys and their semi-trained (maybe) dogs taking off and running and gunning, BUT since our dogs were originally created in order to never pass a bird, we just hang back until the runner gunners are well out of range, and start then. We ALWAYS flush birds that the other guys and dog raced on past. That's what Clumbers do - they work the field deliberately and are scenting freaks.
So they may indeed be a joke at the runner gunner times of the day, but if you avoid those times, it's still a chance to get out with the dogs for the day, shoot at some birds, and maybe bring home the centerpiece for a tremendously yummy Parmesan dinner. And on the WEsTside. Can't really ask much more unless I want to buy up a ton of land and become a pheasant reserve myself.
:dunno:
Post by: swanny on October 25, 2008, 11:02:22 AM
I remember seeing the wall of orange at Belfair several years ago and it was insane!
Post by: ABMGENERAL on October 26, 2008, 08:46:22 AM
Post by: Aperson on October 26, 2008, 09:51:04 AM
Post by: Bighorse on October 26, 2008, 01:56:24 PM
I found some huge fat delicious birds in there. It was sporty for my Spaniels as well. The birds would hold up in the trees with various vine underbrush. We would have to dive right in there and get a flush. The shooting was interesting with the birds rising strait up into the trees. We'd get some situations where the birds would run and only get airborn in between clearings and back into the Blackberry they would dive.
I was grateful to have a site close to home and well stocked. We did find some cripples and witnessed some rookies at work but if you got in there and put in your time you found common holding areas. We even enjoyed finding deer in some stands of trees.
I know we all want hunting Nirvana but when time and distance divide us from the birds we do what we have to do.
Now quit your bitchin' I gotta hike from sealevel to 2,500' and traverse ridgelines without trail just to hunt a few Tarmagain. I've done it twice this year and I'm usually beat by the time I get there and my dogs are not nearly as driven. I'm better off deer hunting....at least I can sit and glass.
I have to admit.....I find myself daydreaming of wide open country and the happy wanderings of my dogs. I still haven't seen my new Spaniel do any real field work yet.
Post by: Yummy and Tasty Animal on October 26, 2008, 07:32:17 PM
Post by: SpencerUSMC on October 27, 2008, 03:50:12 PM
hey thanks for quoting me!!!
Hey no problem, I will gladly use your stupidity to further validate my point any day!
Post by: abe henderson on October 28, 2008, 03:10:00 PM
Now don't get me wrong, its not to be confused with those wily old wild roosters...
Abe
Post by: Yummy and Tasty Animal on October 28, 2008, 03:15:04 PM
Post by: guyg on November 02, 2008, 11:49:53 AM
I'm mighty happy to hike miles per year for an opportunity at only a couple of wild birds. And mighty happy to take one or none out of a covey of wild huns or quail and then leave them alone til next year. Don't worry, you'll never find 'em.
I'll leave the release sites you you guys. And that's fine, they're what they are, and I'm OK with that.
The problem is the money now all goes to pheasant release programs, and none to wild bird habitat and promotion. Pheasant hunting in Washington has been reduced to the kind of hunting the wetsiders are used to. Give WDFW the cash on the eastside to establish and promote wild bird populations, manage and promote quail, huns, and chukar, all on public and ffth lands, and keep the release programs (affectionately known over here as "coyote feeds") on the west side. Then y'all can have it all...chickens for the table and a chance to show off your new clothes to the local guys, and a real live hunt with a reasonable opportunity for success when you come over here.
Post by: Rainier on November 02, 2008, 01:02:21 PM
Post by: Bigshooter on November 02, 2008, 02:11:49 PM
I go to the one that is just across the road from my house, but only to get my dog into some birds, and I only hunt the afternoons. Most people only hunt from 8 a.m. to around 10 a.m. anyway. Give the afternoons a try. It's a lot more like real hunting then.
+1
Post by: backwoods_boy on November 03, 2008, 12:46:53 PM
i agree its not hunting but its a ton of fun to watch my buddys dog work.
and yeah its good practice.
and you cant beat the excercise.
Post by: Kain on November 07, 2008, 09:31:58 AM
Post by: Intruder on November 07, 2008, 09:48:30 AM
The sites do seem like an OK thing in respect to training, introducing kids to hunting, or access for older folks. They, however, don't compare in any way, shape, or form to hunting wild roosters. Dogs that only exposed to pen raised birds will often get totally worked by wild birds... as do their masters :chuckle:
Post by: Kain on November 07, 2008, 10:25:41 AM
I don't know... I always wonder how much $ goes into raising birds, managing the land, etc, etc. If they were to spend that money on habitat, cooperative efforts w/ private land owners and such, would we be getting more bang for the buck?
The sites do seem like an OK thing in respect to training, introducing kids to hunting, or access for older folks. They, however, don't compare in any way, shape, or form to hunting wild roosters. Dogs that only exposed to pen raised birds will often get totally worked by wild birds... as do their masters :chuckle:
yeah must be quite a bit of money my pheasant tag was $40 for 8 birds. Hopefully that cover the cost to buy them from ranchers.
Post by: guyg on November 07, 2008, 08:14:55 PM
Post by: clindsayrun on December 09, 2008, 02:40:57 PM
You know what's funny. I grew up in the Skagit Valley and have hunted all of the different public hunting areas. I have met hunters from all over the westside driving up to hunt.
In college my brother and I used to hit Cherry Valley and Stillwater a few times a week. I can't tell you how many times we were the only one out there or just another couple of guys. We also always got our birds.
Why drive all the way up to Skagit to hunt elbow to elbow when you can stay down south and have a unit to yourself.
Just an observation.
Post by: Hermit on December 14, 2008, 05:26:31 PM
Post by: FrankDown on December 28, 2008, 11:40:27 AM
People hunt so close to the parking areas that it is not uncommon to have a vehicle peppered when you get back. I always waited a couple weekends or went where it was not easy to get to (most there wont hike very far from the road whether it be fishing, hunting, or just hiking). Once you get several hundred yards from the roads youre much safer. So were the chukar and cali quail.
Post by: 12Gauge on January 05, 2009, 02:31:48 PM
Post by: singleshot12 on January 05, 2009, 03:00:46 PM
Look, I don't know why we just have to have one kind. Now, it's release sites, and over here the birds don't last 48 hours. Why can't we have release sites, and wild birds? Why must WDFW manage everything, fish, birds, everything, for hatcheries, and ignore wild stuff....?good point
Post by: magnanimous_j on January 20, 2009, 09:11:51 AM
I take a little umbrage to your use of the term yuppie. Mainly because I kind of am one (however, I leave the shorts and girlfriend at home. Know your activity etc.etc.) To me, as a new hunter, I see these release sites being so packed with noobs as a sign that there is a lot of new people interested in the sport. Its funny, I always read on hunting sites and in magazines about the importance of getting new people into hunting, and I think the attitude of a lot of experienced hunters (not to just call you out) is damaging to that.
I assume that you've been hunting for most of your life. But as someone who is new, let me tell you, getting into hunting is WAY more intimidating than starting camping or fishing or boating or skiing or even shooting. New people have NO idea where to go hunt, and if you don't have people to teach you, you will end up at one of these "pheasant farms" because thats where google says to go.
Take it as that you have a lot of potential fellow hunters out there, or at the very least, people who will be supportive of hunters in the future.
Post by: merlo105 on January 22, 2009, 10:52:55 AM
Post by: Old Dog on January 24, 2009, 06:27:21 PM
Post by: 12Gauge on January 28, 2009, 08:29:19 AM
Look, I don't know why we just have to have one kind. Now, it's release sites, and over here the birds don't last 48 hours. Why can't we have release sites, and wild birds? Why must WDFW manage everything, fish, birds, everything, for hatcheries, and ignore wild stuff....?
So that the WDFW can justify charging you/us $39.42 for the permit. If you notice that there is no charge/permit needed for Eastern WA.